Mint Mobile vs. Simple Mobile: Which carrier is better?

Mint Mobile and Simple Mobile both offer amazing deals on their phone plans for their customers. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s compare them and see which is better.

In this article, we plan to discuss the details of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Coverage & Reception

Mint Mobile and Simple Mobile are both on the T-Mobile network. 

Mint Mobile and Simple Mobile are both mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Mint Mobile and Simple Mobile are both MVNOs of T-Mobile. 

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.

However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options

Mint Mobile offers 1 unlimited plan, while Simple Mobile offers 2 unlimited plans. 

Both carriers give you unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Both companies deprioritize data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and shopping centers.

Mint Mobile Plans

Mint Mobile offers 4 plans, each with multiple options for lengths of service.

Mint Mobile offers plans ranging from 5GB to Unlimited (40GB) data, giving customers more options to meet their needs. Mint Mobile only offers 3, 6, or 12 month plans to sign up for. However, your data is reset every month. Their current New Customer Offer allows you to purchase a 3 month plan at the best deal. Mint Mobile also offers a deal where you can get 6 months of free service if you purchase a phone and a 6 month plan. Mint Mobile allows up to 5 lines on one account, each with their own customizable plan data to draw from.

As a T-Mobile MVNO, Mint Mobile is on tier 7 of 9 Quality of Service Class Identifiers (QCIs).

This indicates the priority level of the carrier on T-Mobile’s network compared to T-Mobile specific plans. This means they’re at a higher priority compared to MVNOs on Verizon or AT&T’s networks. As such, you may experience higher speeds while being deprioritized than other MVNOs.

Mint Mobile keeps your phone locked for the first year after purchase. After, you must request to have your phone unlocked. Taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

5GB

5GB of full speed data is included before you get unlimited data at slow speeds. 

This plan gives you 5GB of data and mobile hotspot access. The plan is again deprioritized, then slows down to 2G speeds after the 5GB allotment. With 2G speeds, users can expect to send text messages and emails or scroll the internet, but streaming video or playing games will be difficult. Hotspot data comes from the 5GB and stops after hitting that amount. The plan costs $15 per month and $45 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 5GB for $3 per GB.

15GB 

You get 15GB of full speed data, then unlimited slow data. 

This plan gets you 15GB of full speed data and mobile hotspot data. This plan is also deprioritized and slowed down to 2G speeds after 15GB. Your hotspot data comes from the 15GB allotment and stops after 15GB. The plan costs $20 per month and $80 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 15GB at $1.33 per GB. 

20GB

This plan also gives you unlimited slow data after 20GB. 

As it says in the name, you get 20GB of full speed data. This plan is deprioritized, however, and it slows down to 2G speeds after you reach the 20GB cap. The plan also includes mobile hotspot capabilities. Data comes from the 20GB allotment and stops after hitting that amount. The plan costs $25 per month and $75 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.25 per GB. 

Unlimited

Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan gives you 40GB before slowing down speeds. 

With Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan, you get 40GB of data. Your data is deprioritized, and it slows down to 3G speeds (512 kbps) after 40GB. At 3G, you can still send texts, send emails, and scroll through social media without too many issues. Streaming video might be a bit slower. While this may be a negative for those who use large amounts of data, most users use about 20GB of data per month or less, according to Ericsson Mobility. This plan also gives you 10GB of mobile hotspot data, allowing your phone to become a WiFi connection for other devices. Data stops after 10GB. 

The plan costs $30 per month, or $90 for the first 3 months. After that, the price is $40 per month. To get the same $30 per month deal, you need to buy 12 months worth of service. At this rate, you get 50GB at $0.60 per GB. 

Simple Mobile Plans

Simple Mobile offers deprioritized data, like most MVNOs. 

Simple Mobile offers 3 limited data plans and 2 unlimited plans. Their unlimited plans also include limited hotspot access. All plans they offer are deprioritized, so users may experience slower speeds in high traffic areas. Their QCI value is tier 7, as they are an MVNO of T-Mobile.

If you purchase your phone from Simple Mobile, your device will be locked for 12 months after activation. It’s important to note that Apple phones are unlocked automatically after 12 months, but non-Apple phone users must request their phone to be unlocked. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

3GB

Your data slows to 2G speeds after the 3GB cap. 

This plan offers 3GB of data at full speed, then slows to 2G speeds after the caps. With 2G speeds, users can send texts, send emails, and browse the internet. Playing games or watching videos, though, is very difficult at these speeds. The plan does not include hotspot access, but Simple Mobile offers several add-ons ranging from 2GB to 10GB. 

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 3GB at $8.33 per GB. 

5GB

This plan offers 5GB of full speed data. 

This plan offers 5GB of data. Like the other limited plans, this plan offers 2G speeds after you reach the data cap. The plan does not include hotspot access, but Simple Mobile offers several add-ons ranging from 2GB to 10GB. 

The plan costs $30 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB at $6 per GB. 

15GB

This plan gives you 15GB and then unlimited data at 2G speeds. 

Simple Mobile offers 15GB at full speed with this plan, then data at 2G speeds after the cap. 

The plan does not include hotspot access, but Simple Mobile offers several add-ons ranging from 2GB to 10GB. 

The plan costs $40 per month. At this rate, you get 15GB at $2.67 per GB. 

Truly Unlimited + 5GB

This plan gives you 40GB of full speed data. 

With this plan, Simple Mobile offers users 40GB of full speed data on their service. After 40GB, the plan slows to 2G speeds. The plan also offers 5GB of hotspot data included, but hotspot data stops after the cap. Any additional hotspot access must be bought through additional add-ons ranging from 2GB to 10GB.

The plan costs $50 per month. At this rate, you get 45GB at $1.12 per GB. 

Truly Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot

This plan gives you 15GB of hotspot data included with the plan. 

Like the other Truly Unlimited plan, Simple Mobile gives you 40GB of full speed data. Data then slows down to 2G speeds after this cap. The plan also gives you 15GB of hotspot data, and this data stops after the cap. Any additional hotspot access must be bought through additional add-ons ranging from 2GB to 10GB.

The plan costs $60 per month. At this rate, you get 55GB at $0.92 per GB. 

Features

Mint Mobile and Simple Mobile offer similar features with their plans.

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. Simple Mobile and Mint Mobile offer similar features on their plans. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Simple Mobile and Mint Mobile do not include this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Mint Mobile offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada included and roaming data at $0.06 per MB. Simple Mobile includes international talk and data roaming in their plans. 

International Connection

Mint mobile gives you international text included, while international talk and data are pay-per-use. International talk is $0.25 per minute, while international data is $0.20 per MB. Simple Mobile plans include international talk to 69 countries and international data to 16 countries, but not international text. 

Video Streaming Quality

Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan streams at 480p Standard Definition, while their limited data plans stream at 4k Ultra High Definition. Simple Mobile plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. 

Streaming Services

Simple Mobile and Mint Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Simple Mobile and Mint Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, they allow you to pay for your device in installments over time. 

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

Simple Mobile and Mint Mobile do not offer this feature.  

Free Trial

Mint Mobile offers a 7 day free trial. Simple Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Customer Service 

Mint Mobile and Simple Mobile do not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support.

Mint Mobile is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online and over the phone. Mint Mobile offers chat support 24/7 and support over the phone at (800)-683-7392 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST every day of the week. Simple Mobile customers can text “HELP” to 611611 to talk to a customer support representative.  

The Verdict

Mint Mobile offers better deals than Simple Mobile overall. 

Mint Mobile and Simple Mobile offer very similar plans and features, but Mint Mobile offers the better deals between the two of them. When you break down the price per GB, Mint Mobile offers cheaper data. Their slowed data is also faster than Simple Mobile on their unlimited plan, which also makes them the better option overall. 

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

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